Disability Voting Rights Act

Disability Voting Rights Act

This bill requires each state to allow individuals with disabilities to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections.

The bill requires each state to

• accept and process any otherwise valid voter registration and absentee ballot applications from individuals with disabilities if the applications are received within the deadline for the federal election;
• establish procedures for individuals with disabilities to request, and for the state to send, voter registration and absentee ballot applications by mail and through electronic means;
• create procedures for securely transmitting blank absentee ballots by mail and through electronic means to individuals with disabilities;
• designate a single office to provide information on voter registration and absentee ballot procedures for individuals with disabilities; and
• specify a means of electronic communication for individuals with disabilities to request, and for the state to send, voter registration and absentee ballot applications.

Further, each state must transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an individual with a disability within 45 days of an election. However, the bill establishes a procedure for a state to apply to the Department of Justice for a waiver of this requirement.

The bill also permanently reauthorizes and expands a program under which the Department of Health and Human Services makes payments to eligible states and units of local government to assure voting access for individuals with disabilities.

The Disability Voting Rights Act, also known as Bill 117 HR 775, is a piece of legislation introduced in the United States Congress aimed at protecting and expanding the voting rights of individuals with disabilities. The bill seeks to address barriers that prevent people with disabilities from exercising their right to vote, such as inaccessible polling places, lack of accessible voting machines, and limited access to voter registration materials.

The Disability Voting Rights Act includes provisions that require polling places to be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs or have visual or hearing impairments. The bill also mandates the availability of accessible voting machines that accommodate various disabilities, such as touchscreens with adjustable font sizes and audio ballots for individuals with visual impairments.

Additionally, the legislation aims to increase voter registration among individuals with disabilities by requiring voter registration materials to be available in accessible formats, such as braille or large print. The bill also includes provisions for training poll workers on how to assist voters with disabilities and ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to early voting and absentee voting options. Overall, the Disability Voting Rights Act seeks to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to the voting process and are able to fully participate in the democratic process. By addressing barriers to voting and increasing accessibility, the bill aims to empower individuals with disabilities to exercise their fundamental right to vote.